Fort History

The defences were even more intense than the First. The whole of the sea front was mined and tank traps set up. A steel scaffolding barrier was constructed along the entire coastal front. Some sections were erected on land, but most were built in the water at low tide to prevent landing craft reaching the beach.

All the seafront was defended by pillboxes and barbed wire. The whole of Felixstowe was also surrounded by a defence network of trenches and strongpoints.
A new battery was constructed at Brackenbury, in April 1915 and was armed with two 9.2" Mk X guns. A barracks for the garrison was built to the rear of the battery, outside of it's defended perimeter. A temporary railway was constructed on the road, to bring in the guns. The battery also saw service during WW2. Landguard was armed with two 6” BL guns mounted on Right Battery.

Renovation

Work started in June 1997 by Ingram Smith, English Heritages contractors to repair, renovate and make safe the Fort. By June 1998 renovation was mostly complete.

From 1875 Landguard’s Forts (main) casemated battery was armed with 4 x 12.5” 38 ton R.M.L. (Rifled Muzzle Loaders) and 3 x 10” R.M.L. 18 ton guns. The 12.5” shells weighed 800 Lbs and came in three types Common, Shrapnel and H.E. (high Explosive). The shrapnel was used for raking the decks of warships or against enemy troops.

Colonal Charles Augustus West

Last Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort 1811 – 1854

Childhood page of honour to King George III
Ensign in 3rd reg. of Foot guards 1784
Married secretly at Gretna Green in 1788 due to his service as a page and inability to ask the King for permission.

Governor Lord George Beauclerk
Governor of Landguard Fort – 1753 – 1768
 
b. 26 December 1704, d. 11 May 1768, Lord George Beauclerk was the son of Charles Beauclerk, 1st Duke of St. Albans and Lady Diana de Vere. He was born on 26 December 1704. He was, therefore a grandson of Charles II and Nel Gwynne.
 

Captin Philip Thicknesse, Governor 1753-1766

Thicknesse was born in Staffordshire in 1720 and at the age of 17 joined the army. After a period in the South of England he became Governor of Landguard Fort, between 1753 and 1766. Thicknesse was unpopular during his time at the Fort, being argumentative and a tyrant.

No.1 in the Royal Marines Weapon Series

The Admiral's Regiment repulsing the attack by the Dutch on Landguard Fort near Harwich, July 1667. Showing the Matchlock Musket in action.

The Admiral's Regiment were the forerunners of today's Royal Marines.

A series of reproductions of paintings by Charles Stadden are in the Royal Marines Museum, Portsmouth.
 

A Soldier of the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot 1664
 

Benjamin Gifford Esq. 1652-1655 (Governor)

Benjamin Gifford was appointed Governor of the Fort in June 1652 upon the death of Colonel Ireton. He was, of course, a follower of Cromwell, and, presumably, a sound puritan, for, writing in 1652 concerning his appointment to governorship, he says "though unworthy, yet I trust the Lord will enable mee to a due discharge of the trust reposed in mee."